Author's Note: Well here it is, Chapter 3. It's an exciting and action packed chapter at that. I've revised and edited out a lot of mistakes, so it should be just a little bit easier to understand. Don't forget to review if you haven't already (but you can review again if you feel like it). ENJOY!!
Chapter 3 – The Dark Forest (or Ninjas of the Night)
Hiro was sound asleep when it started. Plink. A sound came from his window. Plink. It echoed throughout his room but he didn't stir. The sound continued. Plink, plink, plink, clink, clank, Clunk! Something hit his window hard and he awoke quickly.
"Huh? Wha?" He said stumbling on his words still half-asleep.
He turned to the window, opened it, and let out a huge yawn.
"Who's there?" he mumbled, desperate to get back to bed, "What do you want?"
"Hiro! Hey," Someone called form below, "Down here."
Hiro stretched his neck out the window and looked down. There stood Kamui and Steph all dressed in black.
"What are you guys doing? It's the middle of the freakin' night!"
"We're not letting you leave tomorrow on your own." Kamui shouted, "One way or another we'll find a way. We're a team, we've been friends forever and it's going to stay that way. Whether you like it or not, we're coming with you."
"Okay, okay, quiet down, people are trying to sleep. That still doesn't explain what you're doing sneaking around in the middle of the night."
"We're going to the Dark Forest." Steph said in a loud whisper, "I know what I heard from that tree and Kamui and I are going to check it out. Are you and Meta going to help out or not?"
Hiro let out a big sigh. He knew what was going to happen and he knew the answer.
"Give me ten minutes and be quiet!" He answered and then shut the window.
Steph and Kamui giggled and gave each other a high five.
10 minutes later…
"Come
one you guys", Steph said, "Hurry up, you're so slow!"
Steph was so excited with
everything that had happened today. The
voice from the tree, Meta, ra-serus, this new evil in the world whatever it is,
all these thoughts ran around in her mind increasing her anticipation of what
could happen when they got to the Dark Forest.
She didn't know what could happen tonight but wanted to find out soon.
The three were walking from Hiro's house to the Dark Forest, which was a little farther past their training grounds. They planned to stop and 'borrow' some weapons for protection before going into the forest. Steph may have been out of it for the moment but the two boys were the exact opposite. Fear gripped their hearts with every step closer to that dreaded forest. The forest was out of bounds for everyone because of the danger that was contained in its twisted branches of darkness.
Stories had been spread of people who entered the forest and never came out. Some say they became lost in the deceiving darkness while others would say there was a great beast contained in the forest. What ever it was the boys were not too excited to visit the frightening forest.
Soon they had arrived at the training grounds. They snuck past the master's house and to the shed where the weapons were held. After a few minutes and a picked locked they had their weapons. They then continued on the path towards the Dark Forest.
It was almost a full moon out so the path was lit up well. When they reached the forest the light seemed to come to an end. A chill ran down the backs of the teens. They had no clue what awaited them inside and weren't sure if they wanted to find out. For a few minutes they just stood there peering into the endless void that was the forest. Steph was the first to step inside. She knew what had to be done and she was going to do it no matter what mysteries the forest might hold. Her courage seemed to stir in the boys since they slowly followed her in.
Inside the light could hardly escape the clutches of the forest's twisted and gnarled branches. It was extremely dark and it took awhile for the group's eyes to adjust. As they creeped through the forest, it was ominously silent. They had expected at least a little bit of a noise here or there but just as the branches blocked the light, they blocked out any sounds from the outside as well.
Something glinted off to the side and caught Steph's eye.
"Did you see that?" she asked, "I saw something over there."
"I didn't see anything," Hiro said, "maybe you're just seeing things."
They kept walking, now uneasier then ever. The further they walked, the darker it seemed to get. Suddenly there was a loud rustling from some bushes.
"Okay," Steph said weakly, "Now I'm sure you had to hear that."
"Yeah," Hiro replied, "Be careful everyone."
Everyone took out their weapons cautiously. After two more steps a war cry sounded and out of no where men in black ninja gear dropped down all around them. They quickly split up and surrounded the threesome, then attacked.
Three of them rushed Steph. Two were coming from the sides. She jabbed them in the chest and then swung down on the third who was coming straight at her. They backed off for a second but quickly came back for round two.
On her left was Kamui. He and another masked ninja were face to face. He swung his katana across but the ninja pulled out a sai and trapped the blade in it. Kamui swung the other katana but the ninja pulled out another sai and trapped that blade too. He then pushed the katanas out of the way and kicked Kamui in the stomach. Kamui fell over and more ninjas came out of the darkness and crowded around him.
Hiro was faring much better. After Steph had stopped another wave of attackers she looked to see Hiro and tell him about what had happened to Kamui. Hiro had the most guys after him for some reason but he was holding them off miraculously. He was swinging his swallow with power and skill, twisting his body to carry his movement and weapon, and yet was making hits and still keeping them from being lethal.
'Must be Meta.' Steph thought to herself.
She then yelled at him, "There's too many Hiro and Kamui has already been knocked out."
Hiro quickly glanced at Kamui's limp body on the ground and then yelled back, "Quick, get out of here. Find help."
"But what about…"
"Just go already. I'll be alright as long as you hurry."
Steph watched him fight and decided he would be alright. When she went to run away it didn't look like they were going to let her go. A huge group was now closing in at her from all directions and she was in the middle of their circle. She swung her staff over her head all around and knocked them all down. Before they could get back up, she quickly ran.
She heard some groans and footsteps coming after her but she didn't stop running. She thought she heard someone closing in on her and turned to look. Her foot caught on a tree root and she went flying to the ground. She was ready to be taken away as she huddled together afraid of what might get her but nothing happened. She slowly peeked open her eyes to see that she was alone. She got up and looked in front of her. A huge tree with a weird black glow loomed over her. She realized that this was no ordinary tree but a Genesis tree. Amazed that she had actually found it she raised her hand to touch the tree. A voice entered her head.
"Welcome Steph," the voice said calmly, "I am Jedo, ra-seru of darkness. You and I have been selected to join forces against a new evil in this world. I'll explain more later but your friends are in trouble. Will you allow me to join with you and seal our destiny?"
Steph was in shock but muttered a quick and clear, "Yes."
Instantly, a dark shroud covered over her. Her arm tickled and then stopped. The shroud cleared and Steph looked at her arm to see a shiny, black object attached to her right elbow. It was all black except for the center which was a round purple spot with a small spike protruding out of it.
"Quickly now," Jedo said in Steph's head, "We must save your friends. I will show you the way."
Following Jedo's directions, Steph followed to the clearing where they had been battling. Kamui was lying still on the ground while Hiro was still struggling to fight off the attackers.
Steph quickly swung into action. She removed her staff from the holdings and started to help Hiro. As she moved and attacked she could feel another force guiding her movements. Jedo was like having a sixth sense.
"This is ridiculous," Steph said, "We can't last much longer. What are we going to do?"
Just then another man dressed in a ninja suit jumped between the friends and the rest of the ninjas. Everything stopped as he looked around. He then turned towards Hiro and Steph and came towards them.
Next Chapter – The Quest Begins